Background Report - Town of Georgina

SUTTON SECONDARY PLAN EMPLOYMENT AND COMMERCIAL LAND 3
Furthermore, in response to the Growth Plan employment forecast, the Region of York is reviewing its
employment targets across the Region. Although still draft, the employment targets for Georgina may end up
being slightly lower than what is presently in the Region’s Official Plan. This suggests that even less employment
land may be required over the longer term in the Town. It is anticipated that Keswick Business Park will continue
to provide the majority of employment land opportunities in the Town and that uncompetitive employment land
locations (such as those designated in Sutton) are even less necessary.
York Region Employment Forecasts - O.P. and Recent Revisions
New - Draft Revised
O.P. Projections (older)
Growth
Growth 2006-
Municpality 2006 2026 2006-2026 2006 2026 2026
Aurora 19,871 33,491 13,620 17,740 33,000 15,260
East Gwillimbury 7,297 23,050 15,753 5,350 20,000 14,650
Georgina 8,016 18,307 10,292 9,350 22,000 12,650
King 7,346 11,508 4,163 6,855 12,000 5,145
Markham 143,568 240,607 97,039 122,925 212,000 89,075
Newmarket 41,674 48,866 7,191 35,155 46,000 10,845
Richmond Hill 60,422 91,334 30,912 53,135 119,000 65,865
Vaughan 155,504 258,124 102,619 121,470 215,000 93,530
Whitchurch-Stouffville 11,154 21,550 10,396 8,460 17,000 8,540
York Region 454,851 746,837 291,986 380,440 696,000 315,560
Source: York Region Planning Department, April 2007 - preliminary revised numbers
The demand for employment land in Sutton is likely to be very limited in the short term. There may be a
need for other types of employment generating land such as retail / quasi-commercial showroom space.
Over the longer-term (20 years or more), some employment lands could be considered along or in direct
proximity to Highway 48, the current transportation spine through Georgina and roughly aligned near the
future Highway 404 near Sutton.
Commercial (Retail) Land
A cursory review of the retail commercial structure in Sutton was also undertaken. The current commercial
areas in Sutton, notably on Dalton Road, High Street, and Lake Drive, provide retail and commercial services
to the local community (including two supermarkets) but also serve the seasonal residents and visitors to
Sutton. To a lesser extent, Baseline Road also provides some more land extensive commercial uses but
these uses are disparate.
These commercial areas have an attractive nature and physical character that add to the shopping
experience in Sutton. These commercial areas should be protected and strengthened in order to preserve
their important character. While there may be a demand over time for larger format retail uses which
cannot be accommodated in the designated commercial areas in Sutton, these should only be
considered if they are complimentary to the established uses and do not compromise the unique
character and nature already established in Sutton’s existing commercial core.